Vinopolis facts for kids
Vinopolis was a fun place to visit in Southwark, London, England. It was all about wine and learning about it. You could see exhibits and even try different wines. Vinopolis was run by a company called Wineworld, London. It opened in 1999 but closed for good at the end of 2015.
What Was Vinopolis?
Vinopolis was located in an area called Bankside. This is close to the River Thames, near Southwark Bridge and London Bridge. It was a very large place, covering about 2.5 acres (which is over 10,000 square meters!).
Inside Vinopolis, you could explore the world of wine. You learned about its long history, how it's made, and how it tastes. There was also a restaurant called Cantina Vinopolis. You could even buy wine at the Laithwaites Wine Store.
Besides wine, Vinopolis also had a special shop for whisky called The Whisky Exchange. They sold many different kinds of whiskies and other spirits. The Whisky Exchange also held events where people could try different whiskies.
How Vinopolis Started
A wine merchant named Duncan Vaughan-Arbuckle created Vinopolis. He chose a unique spot for it: under the arches of an old Victorian railway bridge. This bridge was built in 1866 by the South-eastern Railway Company. It was used to carry trains from London Bridge station over the River Thames.
Vinopolis first opened its doors on 23 July 1999. When it first started, visitors took a four-hour guided tour. They saw displays about wine and got to taste some. Over the years, Vinopolis changed. By the time it closed, it offered wine tours and was also a popular place for events.
Things to Do at Vinopolis
Vinopolis offered many different experiences. In 2008, they added something new called the "Authentic Caribbean Rum Experience." This let visitors try different kinds of special rums from the Caribbean.
By 2012, Vinopolis had several ways to explore. They offered three self-guided tours called "essential," "classic," and "quintessential." These tours let you discover wines from all over the world at your own pace. You could also book special tours for groups.
The wines were served from special machines called enomatic dispensers. These machines kept the wine fresh so it wouldn't spoil.
Throughout the year, Vinopolis hosted many events about wine, spirits, and food. They had monthly "masterclasses," which are like special lessons. Some of these included:
- "Welcome to wine" (on the first Sunday of each month)
- "Welcome to cheese and wine" (on the second Sunday of each month)
- "Cocktail-making masterclass" (on the first Thursday of each month)
- "Whisky masterclass" (on the third Thursday of each month)
Images for kids
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View of Vinopolis from Park Street.
